Hand tool accumulator charging device

ABSTRACT

A hand tool accumulator charging device is proposed having a charging device housing and a charging coil, provided for the purpose of charging a hand tool accumulator situated in an accumulator charging region, and having only one mounting device that is provided for the purpose of coupling with a hand tool case situated in a case receptacle region, the accumulator charging region and the case receptacle region being situated on sides of the charging device housing facing away from one another.

RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of Germanpatent application no. 10 2012 213 418.2, which was filed in Germany onJul. 31, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

This German application is related to earlier filed German patentapplication no. 10 2011 086 825.9 which was filed on Nov. 22, 2011 andfor which priority is not being claimed.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A hand tool accumulator charging device having a charging coil hasalready been proposed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A hand tool accumulator charging device having a charging device housingand a charging coil is proposed that is provided for the purpose ofcharging a hand tool accumulator situated in an accumulator chargingregion, and having only one mounting device that is provided for thepurpose of coupling with a hand tool case situated in a case receptacleregion, the accumulator charging region and the case receptacle regionbeing situated on sides of the charging device housing facing away fromone another. A “charging device housing” is to be understood inparticular as an arrangement that, in a state ready for operation,mechanically connects at least the charging coil and the mountingdevice. The charging device housing may enclose an interior space inwhich there are advantageously situated a charging electronics systemand in particular the charging coil of the hand tool accumulatorcharging device. In particular, a “charging coil” is to be understood asa coil that, during a charging process, receives and/or sends a quantityof energy. During a charging process the charging coil of the hand toolaccumulator charging device may send a quantity of energy that chargesthe hand tool accumulator. In particular, the hand tool accumulatorreceives the energy. The charging coil may include at least a coilwinding and in particular a coil core. Alternatively or in addition, thecharging coil could be fashioned as an air-core coil. The charging coilmay be configured as a printed conductor on a circuit board or,particularly as a wound coil. “Provided” is to be understood inparticular as meaning specially programmed, designed, and/or equipped.An “accumulator charging region” is to be understood in particular as aregion in which the hand tool accumulator is situated during a chargingprocess. In particular, the charging coil is provided for the purpose ofinductively transmitting a quantity of energy into the accumulatorcharging region.

The charging device housing may limit the accumulator charging regionon, in particular, exactly one side. A “hand tool accumulator” is to beunderstood in particular as an accumulator that is provided for thepurpose of supplying a quantity of energy to a hand tool. The hand toolaccumulator may in particular be connected to the hand tool so as to bereleasable without the use of tools. Alternatively or in addition, ahand tool accumulator may be integrated in the hand tool. A “hand tool”is to be understood in particular as a portable tool whose use appearsrational to someone skilled in the art, advantageously however a drill,a drill hammer, an impact hammer, a saw, a planer, a screwdriver, amiller, a grinder, an angle grinder, a garden tool, a construction sitemeasuring device, and/or a multifunctional tool. “Charging” is to beunderstood in particular as meaning that the hand tool accumulatorchemically stores a quantity of electrical energy. A “case receptacleregion” is to be understood in particular as a region in which the handtool case is situated when the mounting device fastens the hand toolcase to the charging device housing.

The charging device housing may limit the case receptacle region at atleast one side. A “hand tool case” is to be understood in particular asa case that, in a closed state, limits a tool receptacle region so as tobe protected against impacts, against moisture, and/or against dust. Thehand tool case may limit the tool receptacle region at least partly inthe form of a hand tool accumulator. The hand tool case may have atleast one fastening device for fastening a hand tool, a hand tool havinga connected hand tool accumulator, and/or, particularly, a hand toolaccumulator. The hand tool case may be magnetic and/or may beadvantageously electrically passive.

In particular, the hand tool case does not have an electrical system.Alternatively or in addition, the hand tool case could have a chargingcoil and/or, advantageously, a magnetic field conductor that receivesthe energy and conveys it to a hand tool accumulator in wire-boundfashion and/or magnetically. The hand tool case may be fashioned in amanner corresponding to the hand tool case proposed in DE 10 2008 058007 B3. A “mounting device” is to be understood in particular as adevice that, in at least one operating state, produces a mechanicallysolid connection between two units. The mounting device may be providedfor the purpose of fastening the hand tool case to the charging devicehousing. In particular, the mounting device is provided for the purposeof fastening precisely one hand tool case at a particular time.“Coupling” is to be understood in particular as meaning that themounting device and the hand tool case are fashioned such that they canbe fastened to one another without the use of an additional arrangement.The expression “situated on sides facing away from one another” is to beunderstood in particular as meaning that a main plane of extension of asurface of the charging device housing that limits the accumulatorcharging region and a main plane of extension of a surface of thecharging device housing that limits the case receptacle region enclose aminimum angle of between 90° and 180°, advantageously between 135° and180°. A “main plane of extension” of a surface is to be understood inparticular as a plane having a least total deviation from the surface.Through the design according to the present invention of the hand toolaccumulator charging device, a flat constructive form can advantageouslybe achieved.

In a further embodiment, it is proposed that the charging device housinglimits the accumulator charging region with a surface that isessentially planar, making possible a particularly simple manufactureand a particularly flat constructive form. The expression “limits with asurface that is essentially planar” is to be understood in particular asmeaning that the surface deviates from a main plane of extension of thesurface by less than 20 mm, advantageously less than 10 mm. A planespanned by the planar surface may limit the hand tool accumulatorcharging device in the direction of action of the charging coil. Thismeans in particular that no component of the hand tool accumulatorcharging device extends, in the direction of action, past the planespanned by the planar surface.

In addition, it is proposed that the mounting device be fashioned so asto be releasable by an operator without the use of tools, enablingparticularly convenient operation. The term “releasable” is to beunderstood in particular as meaning that the hand tool accumulatorcharging device fastens the hand tool case in a state, and in adifferent state this fastening can be separated by an operator withoutdestruction, and/or reversibly. The expression “releasable by anoperator without the use of tools” is to be understood in particular asmeaning that a connection of the mounting device is fashioned so as tobe manually releasable by an operator. The mounting device may have atleast one operating element that releases a fastening when actuated byan operator.

In addition, it is proposed that the mounting device have at least onemounting arrangement that is provided to lock the hand tool case, makingpossible, in a constructively simple manner, a particularly stable,user-friendly, and in particular automatically closing fastening. A“mounting arrangement” is to be understood in particular as anarrangement that in at least one operating state exerts a force directlyon the tool case for the purpose of fastening the tool case. Themounting arrangement may be fashioned corresponding to, and/or accordingto, a mounting arrangement proposed in DE 10 2008 058 007 B3. The term“lock” is to be understood in particular as meaning that during afastening process of the hand tool case a mounting arrangement iselastically deflected so that it subsequently hooks in behind acorresponding mounting arrangement due to a force acting on the mountingarrangement.

In addition, it is proposed that the mounting device have two mountingarrangement that are situated on two sides situated opposite one anotherof the case receptacle region, making possible a particularly reliablefastening in a constructively simple fashion. The expression “on twosides situated opposite one another” is to be understood in particularas meaning that the mounting arrangement is situated on a straight linethat intersects the case receptacle region and that is oriented at leastessentially parallel to one side of the case receptacle region.

In addition, it is proposed that the hand tool accumulator chargingdevice include a charging electronics system that is provided for thepurpose of at least controlling a charging process, so that aparticularly advantageous charging process can be achieved. The term“charging electronics system” is to be understood in particular asmeaning an electronics system that monitors a charging state at least ofa hand tool accumulator and, as a function thereof, controls and/or mayregulates a charging process of the hand tool accumulator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, it is proposedthat the hand tool accumulator charging device have at least one furthercharging coil, by which a plurality of hand tool accumulators can becharged simultaneously.

In addition, it is proposed that a main plane of extension of thecharging device housing be oriented essentially perpendicular to adirection of action of the charging coil, so that a particularly smallconstructive size can be achieved. A “main plane of extension of thecharging device housing” is to be understood in particular as a plane inwhich the charging device housing has a maximum extension and that maybe oriented parallel to an outer side of the charging device housing.The main extension may be oriented parallel to an outer side of thecharging device housing that faces the case receptacle region. A“direction of action” is to be understood in particular as a directionin which the charging coil transmits a quantity of energy during acharging process.

Further advantages result from the following description of the drawing.The drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Thedrawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features incombination. A person skilled in the art will usefully also consider thefeatures individually and combine them to form rational furthercombinations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system having a hand tool accumulator charging deviceaccording to the present invention, a hand tool case, and two hand toolaccumulators, in a perspective representation.

FIG. 2 shows the hand tool accumulator charging device of FIG. 1 in atop view.

FIG. 3 shows the hand tool accumulator charging device of FIG. 1 in aside view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a system 44 having a hand tool accumulator charging device10 according to the present invention, two hand tool accumulators 22,24, and a hand tool case 30. Hand tool case 30 includes a base body 46,a case cover 48, a first mounting device 50, and a second mountingdevice 52. When case cover 48 is closed, base body 46 and case cover 48limit a tool receptacle space. First mounting device 50 is provided forthe purpose of fastening an additional hand tool case (not shown in moredetail) on a side of base body 46 facing away from case cover 48. Secondmounting device 52 is provided for the purpose of fastening hand toolaccumulator charging device 10, or the hand tool case not shown in moredetail, on a side of case cover 48 essentially facing away from basebody 46. First mounting device 50 and second mounting device 52 arefashioned so as to correspond one another. During a charging process,hand tool accumulators 22, 24 are placed onto a surface 32 a of handtool accumulator charging device 10. Alternatively or in addition, ahand tool accumulator charging device could be provided for fastening ahand tool accumulator during a charging process.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show hand tool accumulator charging device 10. Hand toolaccumulator charging device 10 has a charging device housing 12, twocharging coils 14, 16, and a mounting device 26. Charging coils 14, 16are provided for the purpose of charging a hand tool accumulator 22, 24situated in an accumulator charging region 18, 20. For this purpose,charging coils 14, 16 convert a quantity of electrical power intoinductive power. Charging coils 14, 16 transmit the inductive powerthrough surface 32 of charging device housing 12 into hand toolaccumulators 22, 24. Hand tool accumulators 22, 24 each have a chargingcoil (not shown in more detail) that converts the inductive power backinto electrical power. Charging device housing 12 limits accumulatorcharging region 18, 20 with a surface 32 that is essentially planar.Charging device housing 12 has markings 54 that indicate to an operatora position of accumulator charging regions 18, 20. A main plane ofextension 40 of charging device housing 12 is oriented essentiallyperpendicular to a direction of action 42 of charging coils 14, 16.

Mounting device 26 is provided for the purpose of coupling with exactlyone hand tool case 30 situated in a case receptacle region 28 of handtool accumulator charging device 10. For this purpose, mounting device26 has two mounting arrangements 34, 36, shown schematically in FIG. 3.Mounting arrangements 34, 36 have locking hooks that are provided forthe locking of hand tool case 30. Mounting arrangements 34, 36 aremovably mounted against a spring (not shown in more detail) viaoperating elements 56, 58 of mounting device 26. In a coupled operatingstate, second mounting device 52 of hand tool case 30 is situated in twocoupling openings 60, 62 of charging device housing 12 a. Mountingarrangements 34, 36 of hand tool accumulator charging device 10 engagein locking openings of second mounting device 52 of hand tool case 30.Mounting arrangement 34, 36 of hand tool accumulator charging device 10are situated on two sides situated opposite one another of casereceptacle region 28. In this way, mounting device 26 of hand toolaccumulator charging device 10 is fashioned so as to be releasable by anoperator without using tools. Second mounting device 50 of hand toolcase 30 and mounting device 52 of hand tool accumulator charging device10 are fashioned so as to correspond to one another. Accumulatorcharging regions 18, 20 and case receptacle region 28 are situated onsides facing away from one another of charging device housing 12, thesesides being opposite one another.

Hand tool accumulator charging device 10 has a charging electronicssystem 38 that is provided for the purpose of regulating a chargingprocess. Charging electronics system 38 converts a voltage of an energyinput into voltages for operating charging coils 14, 16. Hand toolaccumulator charging device 10 includes two display devices 64, 66 thatindicate to an operator a state of charge of hand tool accumulator 22,24 and a quality of a positioning of hand tool accumulator 22, 24 for acharging process.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hand tool accumulator charging device,comprising: a charging device housing having an accumulator chargingregion and a case receptacle region for receiving a hand tool case; acharging coil for charging a hand tool accumulator situated in theaccumulator charging region, the charging coil being disposed in thecharging device housing; and one mounting device for coupling with ahand tool case situated in the case receptacle region, the mountingdevice being disposed on the charging device housing; wherein the casereceptacle region is located on a side of the charging device housingthat is different from, and faces away from, a side of the chargingdevice housing at which the accumulator charging region is located,wherein the accumulator charging region is external to the hand toolcase.
 2. The hand tool accumulator charging device of claim 1, whereinthe charging device housing limits the accumulator charging region witha surface that is essentially planar.
 3. The hand tool accumulatorcharging device of claim 2, wherein the mounting device is configured soas to be releasable by an operator without the use of tools.
 4. The handtool accumulator charging device of claim 1, wherein the mounting deviceis configured so as to be releasable by an operator without the use oftools.
 5. The hand tool accumulator charging device of claim 1, whereinthe mounting device has at least one mounting arrangement that isprovided for the purpose of locking the hand tool case.
 6. The hand toolaccumulator charging device of claim 1, wherein the mounting device hastwo mounting arrangements that are situated on two sides of the casereceptacle region situated opposite one another.
 7. The hand toolaccumulator charging device of claim 1, further comprising: a chargingelectronics system for at least controlling a charging process.
 8. Thehand tool accumulator charging device of claim 1, further comprising: atleast one additional charging coil.
 9. The hand tool accumulatorcharging device of claim 1, wherein a main plane of extension of thecharging device housing is oriented essentially perpendicular to adirection of action of the charging coil.
 10. The hand tool accumulatorcharging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device housing isconfigured to mechanically connect at least the charging coil and themounting device.
 11. The hand tool accumulator charging device of claim1, wherein the charging device housing encloses an interior space whichincludes the charging coil and a charging electronics arrangement. 12.The hand tool accumulator charging device of claim 1, wherein thecharging device housing delimits the accumulator charging region atleast on one side.
 13. The hand tool accumulator charging device ofclaim 1, wherein the charging device housing delimits the casereceptacle region at least on one side.
 14. The hand tool accumulatorcharging device of claim 1, wherein the charging device housing isembodied as a substantially flat housing having a main plane ofextension, the side at which the case receptacle region is located andthe side at which the accumulator charging region is located beingarranged substantially parallel to one another along the main plane ofextension.
 15. The hand tool accumulator charging device of claim 1,wherein the side of the charging device housing at which the casereceptacle region is located and the side of the charging device housingat which the accumulator charging region is located are arrangedopposite to one another on the charging device housing.
 16. The handtool accumulator charging device of claim 1, wherein the mounting deviceincludes a mounting arrangement having a locking element configured tolock the hand tool case releasably.
 17. The hand tool accumulatorcharging device of claim 16, wherein the mounting device includes anoperating element for manually operating the mounting arrangement.
 18. Asystem, comprising: a hand tool case; and a hand tool accumulatorcharging device, including: a charging device housing having anaccumulator charging region and a case receptacle region for receivingthe hand tool case; a charging coil for charging a hand tool accumulatorsituated in an accumulator charging region, the charging coil beingdisposed in the charging device housing; and one mounting device forcoupling with a hand tool case situated in the case receptacle region,the mounting device being disposed on the charging device housing, theaccumulator charging region and the case receptacle region beingsituated on sides of the charging device housing facing away from oneanother and which are different from one another, wherein theaccumulator charging region is external to the hand tool case.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18, wherein the hand tool case includes a base body anda case cover, the base body and the case cover being configured todelimit a receptacle space for at least one hand tool.
 20. A system,comprising: a hand tool accumulator; and a hand tool accumulatorcharging device, including: a charging device housing having anaccumulator charging region and a case receptacle region for receiving ahand tool case; a charging coil for charging the hand tool accumulatorsituated in an accumulator charging region, the charging coil beingdisposed in the charging device housing; and one mounting device forcoupling with the hand tool case situated in the case receptacle region,the mounting device being disposed on the charging device housing, theaccumulator charging region and the case receptacle region beingsituated on sides of the charging device housing facing away from oneanother and which are different from one another, wherein theaccumulator charging region is external to the hand tool case.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the hand tool accumulator is configured tobe releasably connected to a hand tool and supply power to the handtool.